I don't understand the request for "help" when you have your goldens living outside with ample opportunity to hone their craft of repeatedly killing animals smaller than themselves of which your ok with. Are you worried about the neighbor reporting you?

I don't understand the request for "help" when you have your goldens living outside with ample opportunity to hone their craft of repeatedly killing animals smaller than themselves of which your ok with. Are you worried about the neighbor reporting you?

I was thinking the same thing - what type of help were you seeking when you started this post? I don't think you are going to read what you want on this board - given that the majority of the people on this board to not advocate the manner in which you keep your dog.

Although I think most of the forum members (including myself) believe Goldens should be inside dogs, I think your best solution to this problem is to only allow this dog to be within a physically fenced yard. It is far less likely that your neighbor would enter into a fenced yard to say "HI" than come through the invisible fence. Remember, it is an "invisible" fence, meaning he could not see it and likely did not realize it was there. Also, the fact that you had your dog out with an invisible fence implies that your dog is not aggressive. Now you know differently, so there is no excuse for allowing him to be in a situation where he can attack other dogs.

Is your dog intact? Was the other dog intact? It may be possible that your female is coming into heat, or even if she isn't actually going into heat, she is becoming more sexually mature and other males will become more interested in her. That can make your male even more dangerous. All these things are more reasons to have a physical fence.

As to cats, is there a large population of feral cats where you live? I can see to some extent where a dog might become a cat killer if there was. My dogs have lived and loved inside/outside cats and they knew their cats whether they were inside or outside (our cats would go for walks with us). They would chase cats they did not know outside, but would not attack those cats. If the cat stood still to greet the dogs they would all do a polite greeting and if the cat reacted aggressively, they would back WAAAAY off.

Back to Goldens in general. They should NOT be killers of dogs, it demonstrates poor temperament. However, this dog has killed another dog and MUST be contained to prevent him from harming another dog. As to danger to humans, being dog/dog aggressive does not necessarily mean he will ever bee human aggressive. Most Pit Bulls would never hurt a human even if they are dog aggressive. However, the fact that this dog has used his teeth to resolve his problems and is of a breed that should NEVER do that, might suggest that he will do the same thing if his problem is with a human.

I wouldn't want an outdoor dog either but everyone has different lifestyles...the dog does sound like he thinks his job is to protect the perimeter unfortunately. Now that he has killed another dog...and this wasn't a tiny fluff dog where you could pass it off as mistaken for a cat or other...you will have to keep very diligent about the yard...big warning signs etc and I would consider a muzzle on walks outside the property unless you think you have full control over him in those situations. I didn't think Goldens killed cats...very unfortunate situation.

I never questioned his temperament until this happened. He does (usually) greet people with a smile, tongue out, and tail wagging. My two year old grandson plays with him and as rough as he gets is a lick on the face. We had a rummage sale, people brought leashed dogs with them, and he was fine.

A dog that I knew for a fact, killed cats, and had killed another dog, would never be allowed to play with my grandchildren. Your dog is not just attacking or biting to subdue. He is attacking to kill. IMO this is much more dangerous and I would never take the chance that it may happen to a child.
One quick question that may have already been answered but I haven't seen, were you right there when it happened and was an attempt made to break up the fight?

It is not 'normal' for any dog to viciously attack another dog,(or kill a cat) regardless of 'reason'. Since you have had four dogs that have killed cats (and now a dog) that have crossed the 'invisible' line into your yard, I suggest that you are dealing with frustration and aggression due to the underground fence. Dogs learn by association, whatever they are looking at is responsible for their pain/discomfort. The dog is in effect 'teased' or 'challenged' by the cat or dog wandering outside the fenceline, if it gets too close to the fence line (or crosses it) gets a shock, the shock is associated with the cat (or dog). If the dog knows to avoid he fence, just the frustration of seeing the dog or cat, and not being able to get to it, is frustrating for them. Over time that frustation builds (and the association is reinforced each time it happens) and when 'opportunity knocks' the dog takes his 'revenge'. Suggest you build a physical fence.

What Goldhaven has written is exactly why my dog trainer friend dislikes invisible fence... Barrier frustration, redirected aggression... I have invisible fence, live in the middle of sixty eight acres, 1100 feet off the road. Mine are only out to do their business or if we are out with them. They would get into so much trouble if they were left outside...instead they sleep on the couch and chairs all day. My Emmie did catch a mouse in the house once. She bright it into the kitchen and was so proud. There wasn't a single mark on it and we guessed she must have scared it to death... Living in the woods, we get the mouse wildlife...

I never understood why someone would rather have a lawn ornament than a companion. You've recieved a far better reception than I would have expected here, but the truth is you've made the dog aggressive and are reaping the result.

I'm not sure a backyard dog alone breeds a killer does it? Every farm dog would be a killer if that were the case. I didn't know the stats on invisible fences though...I have a friend that uses one and the dog is not aggressive at all. But she's not out there 24/7.

Historically dogs outside All the time was the norm...but if I didn't want my dog to kill things on the property I would probably have instilled that rule very early on. I've trained ours not to go after the cat and we recently had a bunny hanging out on the property..so I've gone out there in the few times the dog has spotted the rabbit and used the leave it command and used the cats name as well to get her to understand that all small critters are in the cat category.

I have no idea if that will last but so far she's not touched it. But again initial training was indoors in a controlled environment. This dog sees itself as the perimeter protector and training to reign in that aggression will not be easy

A physical fence or enclosure for the dog may now be mandatory if reported.

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